Overview & Reviews

"Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?" That's the opening line of "Mercedes-Benz," a song most famously recorded by singer Janis Joplin in the early 1970s. The tune gently poked fun at materialism and our desire for the finer things in life. It's fitting that the renowned German marque figures prominently in the lyric. Mercedes-Benz has long been known for crafting vehicles that emphasize luxury and refinement. For many, its vehicles are sleek symbols of status, success and good taste.

In January of 1886, Karl Benz unveiled the world's first automobile, a three-wheeled vehicle dubbed the Benz Patent Motor Car. A few months later, Gottlieb Daimler and his chief engineer Wilhelm Maybach rolled out a four-wheeled vehicle powered by his Daimler engine. The first Mercedes was crafted in 1901, shortly after Daimler's death. Built by Maybach, the car was commissioned by Emil Jellinek, one of Daimler's primary distributors, and was ultimately named after Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes.

In 1926, the companies founded by Daimler and Benz merged to form Daimler-Benz AG, and the Mercedes-Benz brand was born. The company's insignia was a three-pointed star wreathed in a laurel; the star was dreamed up by Daimler years earlier, and its three points signified the fact that his engines were used in vehicles that traveled land, air and sea.

Right from the start, the Mercedes-Benz name was synonymous with automotive excellence. One of the automaker's earliest vehicles, the 1931 Mercedes-Benz 170, distinguished itself as the world's first production car to offer a technology that was nothing short of extraordinary for the day: four-wheel independent suspension. The '30s and '40s saw Mercedes establishing itself as the brand of choice for car buyers seeking the ultimate in luxury, thanks to coveted cruisers like the 380 and 540K.

The 1950s witnessed the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing," a sports car that has been described as being the world's first supercar. With its dramatic styling and race-bred technology, the 300 SL reigns today as a classic coveted by collectors worldwide. The decade also saw Daimler-Benz making strides in the area of safety technology. The company's Mercedes-Benz 220 sedans were the first vehicles to incorporate its patented "crumple zone" body design, created to absorb impact in the event of a crash.

In 1963, the company cemented its reputation as the home of automotive luxury with the launch of the Mercedes-Benz 600. The elegant, luxurious sedan was also available as a limousine and featured an ahead-of-its-time air suspension system and a V8 engine that boasted 300 horsepower. The decade also saw the launch of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3. This full-size sedan went from zero to 60 in under seven seconds, distinguishing itself as the quickest luxury car is its day.

The 1970s saw the birth of the brand's storied S-Class line of vehicles, opulent sedans and coupes that coddled passengers with powerful engines and a long list of luxury features. The decade also saw Mercedes continuing on the cutting edge of safety technology, by being the first to offer antilock brakes in its vehicles.

Daimler-Benz's safety advancements continued in the 1980s. Its cars were the first to offer airbags and traction control. The manufacturer also raised the bar in terms of ride comfort and handling when it introduced multilink rear suspension. The technology debuted on the compact Mercedes-Benz 190 E, and it remains a vital component of the company's chassis engineering to this day.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles got an extra dose of power and performance in the 1990s, thanks to the manufacturer's partnership with AMG, a performance and tuning shop that was eventually purchased by the company to help produce ultra-high-performance versions of some of its vehicles. The first AMG model offered in the U.S. was the sporty C36 AMG in 1995; since then, Mercedes has gone on to offer an AMG-tuned version of almost all of its vehicles.

The company's current lineup is the most comprehensive in its history. With a variety of sedans, coupes, SUVs and roadsters filling Mercedes showrooms, it seems like the only thing missing is a pickup truck. Surely, the fact that Janis Joplin's song holds as much relevance today as it did four decades ago is a strong indicator that the brand's premier status is still very much intact.

User Reviews:

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  ML320 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By pixi - January 24 - 10:00 am

  A lot better than the 1999 which I had previously owned. Retractable mirrors great. Radio screen too big and ugly. If it could show TV stations then it would be sized appropriately.

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  Fun fun fun~! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By rib123 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Just got my baby C 1 week ago. Man, once I start the car, I dont want to get out. A lot of power for a small car, and the 2.3L eng. makes beauifull sound...

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  good car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By EBdk - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Car is amall yet powerful, it blows out other car from the line up traffic light easilly.

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  2004 G500 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By Thai - January 19 - 6:00 pm

  Great SUV. Just the right size for off-roading. Built like a tank or bank vault. Nothing else on the road like it. The locking diffs and compact size are what put this SUV above everything else not named Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. Interior space is surprisingly good, but a bit narrow. This applies to the cargo area too. Interior design is very old, but the materials and fit & finish are first rate (and appropriate for price). Storage space is at a premium though. Stereo is pretty good when you play CDs, not so good with radio. Leather is top-notch...after 50k miles, no signs of creasing! (This is in contrast to my brothers LX470s leather.)

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  2004 E320 SPORT - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By vladimir isov - January 18 - 10:06 am

  There is nothing like a Mercedes-Benz. Here is the bottom line. Mercedes-Benz, like all cars, must be properly maintained inside and out for it to perform and be relied upon during its long life. These are highly advanced vehicles which deserve much respect, and that means no cutting corners when it comes to maintenance and repairs. Most people complaining about their Benz either obtained it from poor care or have not been providing the proper care . I will admit, it does take a financial commitment to make this happen, but so does the proper care for a Honda Civic if you wish to have it running like new at 120K miles. I am blessed to have my 04 E320 Sport and its simply a great car.

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  Pretty Good - I Guess - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By MG - January 13 - 4:06 pm

  Has been in the shop a number of times for things breaking (and I have less than 20K on it). Thank goodness its still under warranty. First Mercedes so I thought the quality of the interior was good, but now on comparison I feel it is fair. Service has been excellent but it really shouldnt have needed so much service already.

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  Best Car I Have Ever Owned - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By john - January 13 - 3:36 pm

  I bought this car 6 months ago and have not had any major complaints so far. The interior is very comfortable and the fact that it comes standard with navigation, leather, and heated front seats was a huge bonus. It handles very well, and even though it is rear wheel drive, it has shown to be pretty reliable in the snow. Definitly a "looker". The only thing that I dont like is the occasional knocks and bump that I hear in the doors and ceiling. That happens on all cars but I didnt expect it from this one. And the brakes create excessive brake dust and cause a high pitched sceech when applying the brakes. Its always fixed but still a nuisance.

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  10 years of happy ownership - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By bickar - January 10 - 10:56 pm

  Bought this car with 5000 miles on it in December of 1999. Over the years, have had to repair various things, and spent a little more to do so than I had on my Hondas, but, not an outrageous amount. And, I cannot tell you the last time I had to do anything other than normal maint. (NOT at a MB dealer - use an independent!) The gas mileage is outstanding - nearly 30 mpg on the highway, 25 around town. Car feels solid still, and the trunk is very large and shaped well - much more usable than our current other car - Jaguar XJ. We use it now for any dirty jobs we have, as it is getting old, yet, the paint job is MUCH better than the Jag we have - seriously MUCH MUCH better.

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  BEAUTIFUL DRAMA QUEEN - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By mylexgs300 - January 6 - 9:36 am

  I purchased this car used in January of 2012 with 480k miles. Now, before you think Im crazy, my reasoning was that after I test driving the car, it appeared to be mechanically sound in every way. The engine was as quiet as if it had 60k miles and the transmission shifted to perfection. Being a long time lover of Lexus, I can now appreciate the maintenance-free GS300. Since purchasing the car, Ive replaced the water pump and the pulley, along with the brakes and rotors all around. So far my air suspension has been fine, although I suspect the ball joints will need replacing soon. Despite that, Im very happy with the car. Its a joy to drive and gets a lot of attention.

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  I was warned. - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Fast Ed - January 5 - 10:13 am

  I have met a lot of former Benz owners. I didnt believe them when they said stay away. For the money, this car spends way too much time in the shop. We had one dead key requiring a 2 hour replacement drive, one dead ignition switch requiring a tow. Headlights that short out when the car is off. Many electrical gremlins. Service engine light always on (they tell me it is fine). Great looking car, lots of room, but if you cant trust it to get home, what good is it? Maybe the last 6 cars we owned (all American I might add) we just got lucky and they never broke. Buyer beware. I would be real leary of buying a used one. Make sure you live close to the Benz dealer.